Wind Turbine Blade Spoiler Retention Using Pneumatic Suction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wind turbine blades with active spoilers face challenges in maintaining the spoilers in a retracted position due to external forces, leading to increased loads and reduced lifetime, and existing solutions are complex and costly.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a retaining mechanism using pneumatic or hydraulic suction to control fluid pressure within the bladder, combined with suction pressure reduction elements and abutment members, prevents the spoiler from moving to the extended position, reducing loads and simplifying the design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If the spoiler is kept in the retracted position using conventional methods, then aerodynamic drag is minimized, but the spoiler cannot be reliably retained against external forces leading to increased loads and reduced lifetime

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaerodynamic dragVSAvoidspoiler retention reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a pneumatic retaining mechanism where a bladder is inflated with compressed air to generate a retaining force that holds the spoiler in the retracted position. This pneumatic system provides reliable retention against external forces while maintaining the spoiler flush with the blade surface to minimize aerodynamic drag.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the pressure parameter within the bladder to control the retaining force. By adjusting the inflation pressure of the pneumatic bladder, the system can dynamically adapt the retaining force to match varying external forces, ensuring reliable retention while minimizing unnecessary loads on the spoiler structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If the spoiler is allowed to move to the extended position, then aerodynamic properties are improved for specific operating conditions, but external forces cause unintended movement leading to increased loads and reduced lifetime

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaerodynamic adaptabilityVSAvoidstructural load capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The pneumatic bladder provides a controlled retaining force that allows the spoiler to extend intentionally when needed for aerodynamic optimization while preventing unintended extension caused by external forces. The selective activation of the pneumatic system enables adaptability without compromising structural strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

3Duration of action of stationary object

If complex retaining mechanisms are used to prevent spoiler movement, then spoiler lifetime is extended, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespoiler lifetimeVSAvoidretaining mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a simple pneumatic bladder system connected to the existing compressed air infrastructure of the wind turbine. This approach extends spoiler lifetime by providing reliable retention without requiring complex mechanical structures, thereby avoiding increased device complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes the existing compressed air system already present in most wind turbines for blade de-icing and other functions. By repurposing this existing infrastructure for spoiler retention, the system avoids additional complexity and cost while effectively extending spoiler lifetime through reliable retention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach minimizes aerodynamic drag, extends spoiler lifetime, and reduces fatigue loads on the blade, hub, and tower components by maintaining the spoiler in a retracted position effectively.

Implementation Method 1

a suction means configured to control a predetermined fluid pressure within the bladder which prevents the bladder from inflating due to a pressure build up due to centrifugal forces on the fluid inside the bladder

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Implementation Method 2

a suction pressure reduction element being provided at the blade body adjacent a trailing edge of the active member or at the trailing edge itself, wherein the suction pressure reduction element is configured to reduce a suction pressure induced by an airflow on the active member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSuction pressure reduction: Suction

Data Source

PatentUS12535053B2Blade for a wind turbine comprising means for retaining a spoiler at a retracted position

Publication Date: 2026.01.27 SIEMENS GAMESA RENEWABLE ENERGY AS

AI summary

A wind turbine includes a blade. The blade includes a blade body; an active member mounted to the blade body and configured to move between a retracted position and an extended position to change an aerodynamic property of the blade; and a bladder which is configured to be connected to a pneumatic or hydraulic system of the wind turbine to move the active member when the bladder is filled by a fluid supplied by the pneumatic or hydraulic system, or when the fluid is removed from the bladder by the pneumatic or hydraulic system. The wind turbine includes a retaining means configured to prevent the active member from moving towards the extended position.